One title contender after another at the stage of the season when it was always likely that Boro would be in need of points.

The hope was the buffer of breathing space; the fear little room for error against a cluster of world class stars.

And here we are. Twelve points to play for and six adrift ahead of the weekend's games.

One rather hopeful consolation of having such a brutal stretch to finish the campaign was the wish that things would be cut and dry at the top.

Instead, City find themselves in a situation where they dare not lose. With Manchester United playing early, Pep's side will likely go into this afternoon's game in sixth position and with no room for a slip-up if they're to finish in the top four.

Imagine, during that stretch when they were steamrollering everything in sight at the start of the season, had somebody told you that City would be sixth when they'd head for the Riverside in April.

That said, imagine, after the draw at the Etihad in November, had somebody told you Boro would be in such dire straits and in such desperate need of victories when the sides would meet again in league.

In between, of course, the sides met in the cup. One hundred and 80 minutes shared on the pitch this term has given Boro some up close and personal insight into how Pep's side works.

And Boro will look to tap into that knowledge this afternoon.

The need for patience

When Sergio Aguero finally broke the Boro resistance in the 43rd minute of a one-sided first half, there was a concern City would run riot against Boro at the Etihad.

With Plan A out of the window, Boro now had to commit a body or two, potentially leaving themselves exposed. And that's not recommended against this lot.

Boro, though, were happy to bide their time. They took calculated risks without leaving the gate ajar and, despite the fact City were leading, the home side grew frustrated.

Marten de Roon

Even in the cup game, Boro got off to the worst possible start - the last thing you want to do is chase the game against a Pep team - but the second goal didn't come until midway through the second half. All it would have taken was one moment of inspiration and, despite being played off the park, Boro would have been back in it.

As Adam Forshaw pointed out this week, the equation is a simple one - Boro need to win, but there's still a pressing case for caution. And patience. The longer Boro stay in it, the edgier City will become. As they did in that memorable cup tie a couple of years back.

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Clayton's crucial role

At full-time on Thursday night, Pep Guardiola pulled Michael Carrick to one side for a quick chat.

"He said congratulations and well played," Carrick later revealed.

It was likely said through respect but also through gritted teeth, for Carrick had played a crucial role in ensuring Jose's game-plan to spoil had worked a treat.

Adam Clayton

To stop City there's a pressing need to stop the supply line, but that doesn't come easy. Raheem Sterling, Kevin de Bruyne, Leroy Sane, Jesus Navas, David Silva. Where to start.

Sterling, de Bruyne and Silva have created 203 chances between them this season. Boro have created 219.

There's the need for discipline across the park, obviously, as Steve Agnew pointed out when asked about the availability of Ramirez.

And while Boro need to be at their best from back to front, Adam Clayton has a hugely important role to play in that holding midfield role.

'Too easy to stop' - Boro can frustrate City - but can they hurt them?

The most frustrating aspect of Thursday night's draw for Manchester City will have been the sense of deja vu.

City have now dropped 17 points in 16 home games this season. And, according to the Manchester Evening News: "On none of those occasions did the opposition show more desire or intent than Guardiola's side that has been built to blow rivals away."

So what's the problem, they ask? "In short, City are too easy to stop."

It seems a staggering assertion when you consider the collection of attacking talent within their ranks. But teams do seem to have found a way to frustrate Pep's side this year, particularly at the Etihad.

Away from home, however, that hasn't necessarily been the case. Only Chelsea have picked up more points on the road, with teams perhaps feeling the need to try to hurt City on home turf instead of just trying to stop them at the Etihad.

Boro, however, aren't in a position to just try and stop City. As Steve Agnew said in his press conference on Friday: "We have to win."

With four to play, of which three, in all likelihood need to be won, Agnew said: "We've got to beat one of the two big teams and the first that comes along is Manchester City.

"It's pretty simple - we play City and have to take on the challenge and we have to win."

Balance is a term used repeatedly during Agnew's time in charge so far. The difficulty this afternoon is the balance of frustrating City and also asking questions of a suspect defence.

An inspired stopper showing

Well that always helps when you come up against a side who will inevitably pepper the goal with efforts.

In total, in the two games City have played against Boro so far this season they've managed 43 shots on goal. 43! Boro's total over both games was 14.

Victor Valdes of Middlesbrough celebrates his side's goal at Man City

In both games, however, Pep's side came up against inspired showings between the posts. Victor Valdes was outstanding at the Etihad, foiling a manager who knows him well and won't have been one bit surprised by the keeper's excellence.

And despite conceding twice, Brad Guzan impressed in the cup defeat. He'll have the gloves again on Sunday. He'll be busy. He'll need to be at his best.